Around 680 construction jobs will be created by a £135 million retail and Rugby League stadium development at junction 32 of the M62 near Wakefield.
GMI Construction has been named principal contractor for the scheme at Glasshoughton by Lateral Property Group who are discussing plans with Wakefield Council before making a planning application within the next three months. Work on the project is expected to start next year for completion in 2017.
Key to the project is providing a retail led development which is to pay for the construction of a new 10,000 seat stadium for Castleford Tigers Rugby Club. The enabling retail development will include a new foodstore and petrol station, together with a range of complementary retail units of varying sizes designed to attract high quality retail brands. The developers will also pay for a new 50 acre country park and significant highways network improvements.
Philip Lunn, Managing Director of Lateral Property Group said: “This is a major scheme for the area on a site which has impressive transport links. We have had very positive conversations with some of the biggest names in UK retail and we expect to be able to make further announcements soon.
“In addition to delivering this new stadium for Castleford Tigers, the enabling retail development could bring a massive boost to the local economy. We estimate that around 2,000 job opportunities will be created at the site, along with another 680 during construction. Overall, the development will see around £135 million being invested into the local community.”
Jarrod Best, Managing Director of GMI Construction said: “GMI Construction has extensive experience of building sports stadiums, including most recently the New York Stadium for Rotherham United Football Club.”
Pictured: An artist's impression of the development
